STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT, Vol. 19 (2014), No. 3, pp. 003-0xx UDC 502.131.1(497.4), 620.9:005(497.4) Received: April 10, 2014 Accepted: July 15, 2014 Opportunities for Transition to Sustainable Energy Strategy in Slovenia Matevž Obrecht University of Maribor, Faculty of Logistics, Celje, Slovenia Matjaž Knez University of Maribor, Faculty of Logistics, Celje, Slovenia Abstract In this paper, we present new possibilities and potentials for the development and transition of Slovenian en- ergy industry into sustainable energy industry based on higher energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. On the basis of current and planned electricity consumption, renewables potentials are drafted and new sustainable energy investment strategy is proposed and compared with current energy strategy of Slove- nia from the economic and environmental viewpoint. The costs for implementation of proposed investments are economically analysed and potential environmental impacts of current and proposed energy strategy are identified. Keywords Energy management, energy strategy, sustainable energy, renewables, Slovenia. I ntroduction Pollution, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), ris- ing energy demand and high energy import de- pendence present the core of energy problems both in the European Union (the EU) as a whole as well as in Slovenia. The current energy import dependence in the EU is 50% while in Slovenia it is 55% (Government communication office, 2009). This dependence, which causes economic, political and social vulnerability of the EU, must be seen as a challenge and opportunity for sus- tainable energy policy. Renewable energy sources (RES) are seen as a long-term solution and a short-term reduction of the above stated problems. The EU is aware of the issues related to conventional energy sources (CES) and supports the development of RES and sustainable energy policy. Sustainable energy pol- icy means an effective provision of energy in or- der to meet the needs of the future without com- promising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable energy comprises two key components; namely, energy efficiency, i.e. efficient energy consumption (EEC) and RES. The investments in efficient energy (EE) and RES are highly important since RES cause little (or no) pollution and enable the use of local resources. In addition, they decrease import dependency and increase the EU competitiveness at the same time. Because 80% of all GHG emissions in the EU and in Slovenia are caused by energy industry (Gov- ernment communication office, 2009 and EEA, 2007; Institute of Jožef Štefan (IJŠ), 2008), the EU intends to lower CO 2 emissions by 20% while increasing the share of RES up to 20% and en- hancing EE by 2020. Directive 2009/28/EC within the climate and energy package is mandatory for Slovenia as well. Slovenia’s goal is to have 25% of RES in final energy consumption electricity by 2020. Although 20/20/20 objectives are well set at the EU level, there is a lack of common strategy for their implementation since the implementation strategy remains within the competence of an in- dividual Member State. In Slovenia, the imple- mentation strategy is laid out in the National En- ergy Programme draft (NEP); however, this document is not consistent with the 20/20/20 ob- jectives because it does not foresee any active increase in the share of RES and EEC with regard